Updating Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears coaching staff search

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Gene Chamberlain | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 1:28 PM ET

The Bears continued transitioning the coaching staff to the Ben Johnson era as a few more assistants are no longer with the team.

Only two assistants who were part of the Matt Eberflus coaching regime remained as of Saturday, aside from quality control coaches.

Tight ends coach Jim Dray and offensive assistant for quarterbacks and receivers Robbie Picazo are still on board.

Coaches no longer with the team whose fate had previously been undetermined are special teams assistant Carlos Polk and defensive line assistant Bryan Bing.

Defensive coordinators DO NOT want you to run 4 strong pass concepts! Ben Johnson was in love with them last year and will continue to scheme them up as the head coach of the bears. pic.twitter.com/FIWgjkQcGa
— Throw Deep Publishing - Books and Videos (@TDPublishing) February 1, 2025

Offensive quality control coach Zach Cable and defensive quality control coaches Kevin Koch and Kenny Norton III were still on staff.

Also, the offensive line coach delay continues, although one option has been eliminated and that's Ohio State line coach Justin Frye.

ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported Saturday that the Buckeyes' line coach will sign with the Arizona Cardinals, where he'll be reunited with former Ohio State lineman Paris Johnson. Frey had been reported as one of the candidates for Bears line coach.

#Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson talking about staying in the NFC North:

“As a competitor, I’m not trying to take an easy way out, I want the hard way. I want our players to want the hard way. We want to find out what we’re made of, we want everybody’s best shot each week. That’s… pic.twitter.com/gQY99nSmjj
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) January 23, 2025

Another name of interest reported to the Bears is Florida defensive line coach Gerald Chatman. According to CBS Sports college reporter Matt Zenitz, the Bears will interview Chatman.

Zenitz reports it is for defensive line coach but they had already reportedly hired former Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson.

The Chicago #Bears are set to interview Florida’s Gerald Chatman for their defensive line coach opening, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.

Has coached standouts such as Caleb Banks and Cam Jackson at Florida and helped the Gators rank 11th nationally in sacks in 2024.… pic.twitter.com/VUsCv3K8qU
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 1, 2025

Tribune reporter Brad Biggs said Johnson might be on the staff in another capacity beyond defensive line coach.

A possibility like this is defensive assistant or senior defensive assistant.

Chatman had a brief stint as a defensive line coaching assistant with the Bengals in the past.

Sources: Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is expected to become the offensive line coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Frye is a veteran OL coach with stops at UCLA, Boston College and Temple. Frye was also offensive coordinator during his time at UCLA under Chip Kelly. pic.twitter.com/QFEFL9HTC4
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 1, 2025